Bicycle rack with adjustable tire chock

ABSTRACT

A bicycle rack is described with a retention arm for securing a wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The retention arm is provided with a tire chock for contacting the tire of the bicycle. An adjustable tire chock may be positioned on the retention arm to secure different sizes of bicycles with different sizes of wheels on the bicycle rack. The adjustable tire chock may have latching components that can be released by a user with a single hand by applying opposing or rotational forces to the latch components or the tire chock. The latch components may be provided with a biasing mechanism to urge them into a latch or engaged position when aligned with latching features on the retention arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/686,008 filed Nov. 15, 2019 and of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/767,994 filed Nov. 15, 2018, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This disclosure is in the field of equipment racks for carryingequipment, such as bicycles, on a vehicle. The disclosure relates todevices and systems for actuating various components of the equipmentracks to make them easier to use and more secure. More specifically,this disclosure relates to adjustable tire chocks for use with bicycleracks.

Description of the Related Art

Some bicycle racks utilize one or more pivoting arms to secure the frameor the tires of a bicycle onto a platform provided on the frame of thebicycle rack of the type shown in FIG. 1 . The arm may be provided withan attachment fixture that is hook or hoop shaped to contact the surfaceof the frame or tire of the bicycle and apply a force on it to retainthe bicycle on the rack. In other embodiments the arms may also beprovided with other types of attachment fixtures to secure the frame orother tires of the bicycle to the rack. An example of a bicycle rack ofthis type is depicted in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018/0072237.

In some of these devices the arm is pivotally attached at a first pointalong the length of the arm to the frame of the bicycle rack. A tirechock component of the hoop or hook may be at or near the other end ofthe arm and may be adjustably attached so that the tire chock may bemoved along a portion of the length of the arm to adjust the hoop orhook to the size of the bicycle tires or frame. In some cases, thelength of the arm may be adjustable to move the tire chock component tothe desired position.

In many of these devices the user pivots the arm to an open position toallow a bicycle to be placed on the rack. The user then places thebicycle on the rack, and the arm is then pivoted back in the otherdirection until the tire chock on the arm is brought into contact withthe frame or tire of the bicycle. Depending on the design of thespecific device, this contact may be accomplished partially throughpivoting of the arm and partially through adjustment of the tire chockposition. In various such devices, the arm or the tire chock is thensecured or locked in place in a retention position to hold the bicycleon the rack.

In bicycle racks of this type, the arm often requires a user to utilizetwo hands to reposition the arm from one position to another position orwhile adjusting components of the bicycle rack to the size or design ofthe bicycle to be placed upon the rack. Often it may be desirable foruser to hold their bicycle with one hand while adjusting the componentsof the bicycle rack with their other hand.

In the prior versions of bicycle racks of this type, often both hands ofthe user are simultaneously required to manipulate and adjust thecomponents of the rack, making it difficult to (i) hold a bike whileopening the rack, (ii) place the bike onto the rack when the arm is inthe open position, (iii) hold the bike while adjusting the arm into theretention position, or (iv) engage or disengage the retention mechanism.As a result, existing racks of this type may require a user to eitherutilize awkward positions and other body parts such as forearms, elbows,knees, or hips to hold the bicycle or move the arm or require the userto have help from an additional person.

The bicycle rack described herein provides an improvement over currentlyused bicycle racks because it provides an actuated arm that may be fullyadjusted to a bicycle with a single hand, freeing the other hand to holdthe bicycle in the desired position. In varying versions of the improvedrack, the actuated arm may automatically move from a closed position toan open position upon use of an actuator and may be capable of movingfrom an open position to an engaged retention position with the use of asingle hand of a user. Furthermore, the actuated arm may also beactuated to pivot to an over-rotated position to allow for usage of aramp with the bicycle rack. The actuated arm may also be provided withan improved tire chock that may be adjusted on the actuated arm with theuse of a single hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the adjustable tire chock is for a bicycle rackhaving a retention arm for securing a wheel of a bicycle on the bicyclerack. In some cases, the bicycle rack has a retention arm with a firstside member and a second side member. In some of these embodiments theadjustable tire chock comprises a chock body movably disposed on theretention arm partially between the first side member and the secondside member, and a latch mechanism disposed on chock body substantiallybetween the first side member and the second side member and configuredto releasably engage the first side member

In some embodiments, the latch mechanism further comprises a releaseactuator for disengaging the latch mechanism from a side member of theretention arm. The latch mechanism may be configured to releasablyengage the first side member and the second side member of the retentionarm. In some versions of the tire chock the latch mechanism includes abiasing mechanism configured to engage the latch mechanism with theretention arm. The release actuator may comprise a first actuatorcomponent and a second actuator component configured to disengage thelatch mechanism upon application of opposing forces. In other versionsthe release actuator is rotatably attached to the chock body.

The latch mechanism may include a retractable pin for engaging at leastone aperture in the first side member of the retention arm. In suchembodiments the release actuator is configured to retract theretractable pin. A second retractable pin may be provided for engagingat least one aperture in the second side member of the retention arm. Insuch embodiments the release actuator is configured to retract thesecond retractable pin. The biasing mechanism may force the first andsecond retractable pins to engage the retention arm. In theseembodiments the biasing mechanism may comprise an expansion springdisposed between the first and second latch retractable pins.

In some embodiments of the adjustable tire chock, the chock body hasconcave surface for receiving a tire of the bicycle. The concave surfacemay have longitudinal ridges separated by a distance substantially equalto a width of the tire.

In other embodiments of the adjustable tire chock, it has a chock bodymovably disposed on the retention arm, a retractable component movablyattached to the chock body and configured to engage the retention arm,and a release actuator component disposed on the chock body. In suchembodiments, the retractable component may be configured to disengagefrom the retention arm upon application of opposed forces to the releaseactuator and the chock body. In other embodiments, the retractablecomponent is configured to disengage from the retention arm uponapplication of a rotational force to the release actuator. In some ofthese embodiments, a biasing mechanism is configured to engage theretractable component with the retention arm. Some of these embodimentsmay further comprise a second retractable component movably attached tothe chock body and configured to engage the retention arm. The first andsecond retractable components may be configured to move toward eachother and disengage from the retention arm when a force is applied tothe release actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle rack incorporating anembodiment of the actuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bicycle rack incorporating anembodiment of the actuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bicycle rack incorporating anembodiment of the actuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of theactuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 11B is a top view of an additional embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 11C is a side view of an additional embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 11D is a side view of an additional embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 11E is a side view of an additional embodiment of the actuated armmechanism.

FIG. 12A is a front view of a tire chock used with an embodiment of theactuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 12B is a side view of a tire chock used with an embodiment of theactuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 12C is a front view of a tire chock used with an embodiment of theactuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 12D is a side view of a tire chock used with an embodiment of theactuated arm mechanism.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an embodiment of theassembly.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a tire chock used with an embodimentof the assembly.

FIG. 14A is an end view of an embodiment of the assembly with anintegrated lighting system in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 14B is an end view of an embodiment of the assembly with anintegrated lighting system in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the assembly withan integrated lighting system.

FIG. 14D is a perspective view of an embodiment of the assembly with anintegrated lighting system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The improved bicycle rack described herein provides an actuated arm toallow for easier loading and unloading of a bicycle onto the rack. Therack is provided with one or more pivotal arms that can be adjusted tosecure the bicycle on the rack. The arms in the improved bicycle rackare provided with actuators that assist the user in opening, closing,and adjusting the arms to secure the bicycles on the rack. The specificembodiment of a bicycle rack shown in the figures is not limiting of thescope of the invention but is an example of how the invention may beused in a bicycle rack.

When the arms 104 of the rack 100 are in the stowed position folded downagainst the platforms 102 as shown in FIG. 1 , a user may activate oneof the actuators 110 to cause the actuated arm 104 to pivot to an openposition such as that shown in FIG. 2 . Each actuated arm 104 may beoperated independently of the other actuated arms 104, and in somecases, there may only be one actuated arm 104 on the rack 100. Once thenecessary actuated arms 104 are in the open position a bicycle may beloaded onto the platforms 102, typically by placing the tires of thebicycle on opposing platforms 102.

The actuator 110 allows the user to pivot the actuated arm 104 backtoward the stowed position without releasing or disengaging the actuator110. Thus, the user may pivot the arm 104 back toward the rack with onehand until the arm 104 or the optional tire chock 108, is in contactwith a bicycle tire or frame in a desired position thus securing thebicycle on the rack 100. In the depicted embodiment, the side arms 112extend on either side of each tire of the bicycle to allow the tirechock 108 to contact a desired portion of the bicycle. When the user isunloading the bicycle, the actuator 110 may be actuated by the usercausing the actuator 110 to pivot the arm 104 back to the open positionaway from the bicycle. In some embodiments the actuated arm 104 mayrotate past the open position to allow a ramp to be attached to the rackfor loading electric bicycles or other heavy bicycles.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of a bicycle rack assembly 100 havingseveral actuated arms 104. Referring now to FIG. 1 , a perspective viewof a bicycle rack 100 is depicted with actuated arms 104 in a closed orstowed position. In this embodiment of the assembly, the rack 100provides support for two bicycles simultaneously, however in othersystems using embodiments of the rack 100 there may be space for onlyone bicycle or for more than two bicycles. In some embodiments ofbicycle rack assemblies that use the inventive actuator arm only oneactuated arm 104 is provided on each part of opposing platforms or trays102, and the opposing end of the bicycle may be secured using adifferent mechanism for securing the bicycle on the rack 100, such as afixed bracket or a ratchet strap to hold the tire on the platform ortray 102. The different mechanism may also comprise a support frame forreceiving a portion of the bicycle frame, a cradle for receiving a tireof the bicycle, a fixed cage for retaining the tire and wheel of abicycle, or any other suitable type of bicycle rack.

In this embodiment, the rack 100 is supported by a drawbar 101 which isdesigned for attachment to a receiver hitch of a vehicle, however inother embodiments of the rack 100 it may be designed for attachment to avehicle by straps or other similar attachments, or to a vehicle rooftoprack system, or in other embodiments it may not even be designed formounting on a vehicle (such as a garage storage system). A supportmember 103 is attached to or formed as part of the drawbar 101. In thedepicted embodiment the support member 103 is mounted to the drawbar 101by an optional pivotal attachment mechanism.

In the depicted embodiment each bicycle on the rack 100 is supported byopposing platforms 102 extending outward from the support member 103. Inthis embodiment, an actuated arm 104 is attached at the outer end ofeach platform 102 by a pivotal attachment 106. A user releases (oractuates) the actuators 110 on the opposing platforms 102, causing theactuators 110 to extend and the arms 104 to pivot to the open position.A bicycle is then placed with one tire on each platform 102, and thearms 104 are pivoted toward the bicycle and adjusted to contact theframe or tires of the bicycle to secure it on the rack. The actuators110 are provided with a latch mechanism that automatically engages asthe arms 104 are pivoted toward the bicycle, so that the arms 104 cannotreopen until the latch mechanism is again released or disengaged by theuser.

In the depiction in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the actuated arms 104 are shown in aclosed position and open position, respectively. When a bicycle is notstored on the rack 100, the actuated arms 104 are typically pivoted tothe closed position to protect the rack assembly 100 from damage, toreduce wind noise and drag, and to allow access to the rear of a vehiclewithout removing the rack assembly 100 from the vehicle. When a userdesires to place a bicycle on the rack 100, the user pivots theappropriate actuated arm 104 to an open position or at least far enoughtoward the open position so that the tire of a bicycle may be placedonto the platform 102. The user then pivots the actuated arm 104 backtoward the tire or bicycle frame until contact is made between aretention component such as tire chock 108 on the arm 104 and thebicycle sufficient (in conjunction with other components of the bicyclerack assembly) to hold the bicycle on the rack 100.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the platforms 102 comprisestructural supports with a wheel tray or cradle on the upper surface ofthe platform 102. The actuator 110 is pivotally attached to both theplatform 102 and the actuated arm 104 of the rack assembly 100. In thedepicted embodiment each arm 104 is formed from two side members 112 anda cross member 114 near or at the outer end of arm 104. This designallows a side member 112 to be positioned on each side of the bicycletire when it is on the rack assembly 100. In some embodiments the arm104 may only have one side member 112.

The actuators 110 may vary in specific function in different embodimentsof the invention. The embodiments depicted in the figures utilize a gasspring to provide an extension force to pivot the arm 104 toward theopen position. In other embodiments, the opening force may be providedby a different mechanism such as a compression spring. The actuator 110is also provided with a latch mechanism that prevents the arm 104 frompivoting away from the platform 102 while allowing the arm 104 to pivottoward the platform 102 without restraint. In this context pivoting“away” from the platform connotes an increasing angle between theplatform 102 and the arm 104. Conversely, pivoting “toward” the platformconnotes a decreasing angle between the platform 102 and the arm 104.For purposes of this description, the angle between the arm and theplatform is measured from the surface of the platform on which thebicycle tire will rest.

In the depicted embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the arm 104 ispivotally attached to the platform 102 at a point near the outer ends ofarms 104. In some embodiments the arm 104 may be attached at any pointalong the length of frame 102. The pivotal attachments 106 used in therack 100 may be accomplished by pivot pins, bolts, bearings, bushings,rods, brackets, a combination of the foregoing, or any other device ormethod of attachment known for pivotal connections.

FIGS. 3-8 depict one embodiment of the actuator 110. In the depictedembodiment, the actuator 110 comprises an extendable mechanism 116 (suchas a gas spring having a cylinder 124 and piston 118) that is pivotallyattached to the platform 102 at a first end thereof, and pivotallyattached to actuated arm 104 at a second end thereof. The actuator 110is designed to extend thus exerting an opening force on actuator arm 104that will cause it to automatically pivot to an open position unless itis held in another position by an opposing force.

In some embodiments, the opposing force may be provided by a separatemechanism, referred to herein as a latch mechanism, attached to thebicycle rack separately from the actuator. In other embodiments, thelatch mechanism may be part of the actuator 110, attached to theactuator 110, or otherwise incorporated into the actuator 110 or itsstructure.

The latch mechanism selectively opposes the force exerted by theactuator 110 to prevent the actuated arm 104 from further extension oropening unless a user releases the latch mechanism. When the latchmechanism is in a closed position it prevents the actuator 106 fromextending beyond its current position. Once a user moves the latchmechanism to an open position, the unopposed opening force exerted bythe actuator 110 on actuated arm 104 causes it to pivot away from theclosed position to an open position as shown in FIG. 2 .

In various embodiments, the latch mechanism may require the user to holda trigger, a button, or other release mechanism or member in an openposition to allow the actuator 110 to extend, and when the user releasesthe release mechanism, it may immediately engage the latch mechanism andstop further extension of the actuator 110. In a preferred embodiment,once a user triggers the release mechanism it may remain open until theactuator 110 extends to a predetermined extension or for a certainperiod of time, and then the latch mechanism may engage to hold theactuator 110 at a certain desired length of extension. In variousembodiments, the latch mechanism is designed to allow a user to releasethe latch mechanism and cause the actuated arm 104 to pivot to the openposition with a single hand. In preferred embodiments the latchmechanism is designed to allow the user to cause the actuated arm 104 topivot from an open position to a locked position against a bicyclewithout re-actuating the release mechanism.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3-8 , the latch mechanism isincorporated into the mechanism of the actuator 110. In otherembodiments, the actuator 110 and the latch mechanism may be provided asseparate components. In the depicted embodiment the latch mechanismcomprises a ratchet and pawl system to hold the actuator 110 in adesired position, and a release component that the user operates torelease the ratchet so that the actuator 110 may extend as desired. Inthis embodiment, when the user presses the release component theactuator 110 automatically extends from its current position to anextended position such as that shown in FIG. 2 , thus causing actuatedarm 104 to pivot from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the openposition shown in FIG. 2 .

The maximum extension of actuator 110 may vary in different embodimentsof the bicycle rack and actuator 110. In some embodiments the actuator110 extends to a length that causes actuated arm 104 to pivot to an openposition that is displaced between 90 and 180 degrees from the closedposition against platform 102. The latch mechanism may be closed at anypoint in the extension range of the actuator 110 so that the actuatedarm 104 may be fixed at any angle between the closed position and theopen position. This allows the actuated arm 104 to be fixed in a desiredposition against a bicycle tire or frame to secure the bicycle on therack 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 8 , cross-sectional views of anembodiment of an actuator 110 along its length are depicted at variouspositions and configurations. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the actuator110 in a retracted, engaged configuration. FIG. 4 shows the sameembodiment of the actuator 110 in a retracted, disengaged configurationjust after a user has disengaged the latch mechanism of the actuator110. FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view with some perspective ofthe latch mechanism of the embodiment in the same configuration as FIG.4 . FIG. 6 depicts the same embodiment of the actuator 110 in anextended, disengaged configuration, just before the latch mechanismautomatically re-engages at the nominal full extension point. FIG. 7depicts a detail view of the latch mechanism of the actuator 110 in thesame configuration as FIG. 4 . FIG. 8 is a detail cross-sectional viewof the latch mechanism in an extended, engaged configuration.

In the description of the figures and the embodiments, the terms“extended” and “retracted” refer to whether the actuator 110 has alonger or shorter length, respectively. The term “engaged” refers to theconfiguration where the latch mechanism is engaged to hold the actuator110 at its current length. The term “disengaged” refers to theconfiguration where the latch mechanism is disengaged so that theactuator 110 is free to extend under the force of the spring or otherextending force.

This embodiment of the actuator 110 partially comprises a spring thatexerts an extending force to pivot the arm 104 into an open position,unless countered by another force to prevent extension. The depictedactuator 110 comprises a gas spring but in other embodiments of theactuator 110, the gas spring may be replaced with another kind ofextension spring that will tend to cause the actuator 110 to extend tothe extended, open position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-8 , the opposing ends of the actuator110 are provided with attachment brackets 122 and 126 to allow theactuator 110 to be pivotally attached to different components of therack 100 at each end thereof. The first bracket 122 is attached to theouter tube or housing 128 of the actuator 110. The gas spring 116 inthis depicted embodiment operates in the manner of known gas springs. Agas spring body or cylinder 124 and gas spring shaft or piston 118,disposed in a channel in the cylinder 124, provide the extending forcefor the actuator 110. The gas spring shaft 118 attaches at a first end120 to bracket 122. The gas spring cylinder 124 fits inside housing 128and slides in and out of the housing 128 as the actuator 110 extends andretracts. The gas spring cylinder body 124 is disposed inside tube 125that is attached to bracket 126 that is pivotally attached to actuatedarm 104. In some embodiments the cylinder body 124 may slide within tube125 as shown by FIGS. 5 and 6 , showing the space 127 created betweenthe cylinder body 124 and the bracket 126 as cylinder body 124 slideswithin tube 125.

In this embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises a linear ratchet 130and a pawl 134. In some embodiments the linear ratchet 130 is attachedto the cylinder 124 of the gas spring 116 or the tube 125 as shown inFIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , among others. The linear ratchet 130 comprises aseries of ratchet teeth angled toward the bracket 126. The pawl isattached to the housing 128 on a release member or actuator 136. Therelease actuator 136 in this embodiment comprises a movable collar thatis pivotally attached to the housing 128, in this case by attaching itto a collar 132 fixed on the housing 128. The pawl 134 and releaseactuator 136 cooperate to engage and disengage the ratchet pawl 134 fromthe linear ratchet 130 to prevent or allow the extension of the gasspring 116.

In the engaged configuration shown in FIG. 3 , the tooth of ratchet pawl134 engages one of the ratchet teeth of linear ratchet 130 and preventsthe extension of the gas spring 116. When a user depresses releaseactuator 136 toward the housing 128, the release actuator 136 pivots andpulls the ratchet pawl 134 away from linear ratchet 130. In thisdisengaged position the gas spring 116 is allowed to extend to thedesired open position. In this embodiment the ratchet pawl is pivotallyattached to the release actuator 136 so that it can pivot slightly toallow its tooth to travel over the teeth on linear ratchet 130 as theactuator 110 retracts, while not pivoting when the actuator extends. Inthe depicted embodiment, the range of this pivoting is controlled by thearm extending from the opposite side of the ratchet paw 134 whichcontacts portions of the release actuator 136 at the desired range ofmotion. In other embodiments, the ratchet pawl may have a semi-flexibletooth.

In this embodiment, when the release actuator 136 is depressed theratchet pawl 134 will stay disengaged from the ratchet strip 130 untilthe gas spring 116 reaches a predetermined extension, at which time itwill automatically re-engage the ratchet pawl 134 and linear ratchet130. In this embodiment the release actuator 136 is kept in thedisengaged position by detent component 138 which is attached to therelease actuator 136. The detent 138 includes a tang or flange 140 thatextends adjacent to an aperture with edge 144 of the housing 128. In thedepicted embodiment the detent 138 is attached to the release actuator136 by a pin and may pivot slightly so that the detent tang 140 may passthrough the aperture in housing 128 and catch the edge 144 of housing128. In other embodiments the detent 138 may be formed as part of therelease actuator 136 or may be a flexible component instead of pivotallymounted to the release actuator 136. In this embodiment the detent 138has a detent lever 146 that contacts an inner surface of the releaseactuator 136, and a detent tang 140 that extends toward the aperture inhousing 128. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the release actuator 136is pivoted to disengage the pawl 134, the detent tang 140 captures theedge 144 of housing 128 to hold the release actuator 136 in thedisengaged position. In this embodiment the detent tang 140 has a lip orprotrusion that extends through the aperture in the housing 128 andpresses against the inside of the housing 128 adjacent to edge 144.

In this embodiment a biasing mechanism 142 is provided to bias therelease actuator 136 toward the engaged position. In the disengagedposition, biasing mechanism 142 also holds the edge 144 against thedetent tang 140 by applying a force that tends to pull the detent tang140 against the inside surface of the housing adjacent to edge 144. Inthis embodiment the biasing mechanism is a torsion spring with arms thatpress outwardly in opposite directions against an inner surface ofrelease actuator 136, or as shown in FIG. 8 the detent lever 146, and anouter surface of housing 128.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the embodiment of the actuator arm 110 isshown just as it reaches its desired maximum extension. The detent tang140 is still hooked on edge 144 of housing 128, however it is now incontact with a stop member 148 that is attached to the cylinder body124, or in the depicted embodiment to tube 125. As the gas spring 116extends, the cylinder 124 extends out from housing 128. When the stopmember 148 contacts the detent tang 140 the stop member 148 pushes thedetent tang 140 off of the edge 144. Once the detent tang 140 no longerengages the edge 144, the biasing mechanism 142 causes the releaseactuator 136 to pivot back to the engaged position as shown in FIG. 8 .In some embodiments the outer housing 125 of gas cylinder 124 may beprovided with a longitudinal groove for receiving the stop member 148.In those embodiments, the stop member 148 may be movable within thegroove to adjust the position at which the actuator 110 willautomatically re-engage the ratchet pawl of the latch mechanism.

In the depicted embodiment a limit screw 150 is removably attached tothe housing 125 of cylinder body 124. This limit screw 150 prevents theactuator 110 from extending beyond a desired maximum extension even if auser disengages the latch mechanism and manually pushes arm 104. In thisembodiment the limit screw 150 may contact the ratchet pawl 134 or somepart of housing 132 when the user attempts to overextend the actuator110. In some cases, such as loading a heavy bike using a ramp, it may bedesirable to pivot one or more of the arms 104 to the position shown inFIG. 9 , where they are rotated more than 180 degrees from the closedposition shown in FIG. 1 . Removal of the limit screw 150 allows a userto disengage the latch mechanism and manually pivot the arm 104 beyondthe normal limit of extension, including past 180 degrees. Once theactuator 110 is within its normal operating extension in the positionshown in FIG. 9 the actuator 110 can be operated using the latchmechanism as described above. FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view ofthe actuator 110 with the arm 104 in the over-rotated position.

In some embodiments of the latch mechanism, the device does notincorporate a powered actuator such as the gas spring 116. In theseembodiments the cylinder body 124, housing 128, the latch mechanism, andthe other components of the actuator function in the same way, exceptwhen the latch mechanism is disengaged a user must manually apply forceto the arm 104 to move it to an open position. The latch mechanism stillfunctions to remain disengaged while the arm 104 opens to a desiredposition, and to automatically re-engage and stop further outwardpivoting of the arm at the desired position. The arm may still berotated “over-center” as shown in FIG. 9 . The only difference is thatthe movement of the arm is powered by the user. In some of theseembodiments, the latch mechanism may only remain disengaged while theuser presses the release actuator 136, or it may remain engaged until adesired position is reached by the arm 104 or the extending connectorhas extended to a desired position, just as with the powered actuator110.

In these embodiments without a powered actuator, the actuator withoutthe gas spring or other force-applying components may be referred to asan extending connector 110, because its function is to connect the arm104 to the tire tray 102 and to control the relative positions of thosetwo components. The latch mechanism may function the same as in theother embodiments, but when the latch is disengaged the extendingconnector 110 does not move the arm 104 by its own power. A user mustapply force to the arm 104 to cause it to pivot toward the opendirection.

An alternative embodiment of the rack with the actuated arm is depictedin FIGS. 11A through 11E. In this embodiment the gas spring housing 128is fixedly attached to the platform 102 by brackets 122 and 152. The endof housing 125 of cylinder body 124 is attached at bracket 126 to alinkage arm 154. The linkage arm 154 is pivotally attached at its endsto the bracket 126 and the actuated arm 104. In this embodiment, theactuator 110 and release actuator 136 operate in the same manner as theprevious embodiment. When a user depresses the release actuator 136 inthe closed position shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, the cylinder body124 begins to extend and pushes linkage arm 154 and arm 104 through apivotal motion shown in FIG. 11D to an open position shown in FIG. 11E.

In other embodiments, different latch mechanisms may be used to controlthe extension of the spring and the actuator. For example, afriction-based mechanism may be utilized to control the extension andretraction of the actuator. In some of these embodiments, a retentionmember is pivotally mounted on the housing of the gas spring. Theretention member is provided with a frictional interface, or surface,that selectively contacts the outer surface of the gas cylinder toprevent it from moving. A release lever may be attached to the retentionmember to allow a user to pivot the retention member and release thecylinder.

In other embodiments of the actuator 110 the latch mechanism may utilizea collet and tapered sleeve inside the gas spring to prevent extensionof the actuator. The collet may be slidably attached to the spring shaftand biased with a compression spring to push the collet away from thegas spring body toward a tapered sleeve. The tapered sleeve is providedin connection with the gas spring body. The compression spring pushesthe collet against the tapered sleeve creating a bind between thecollet, the spring shaft, and the tapered sleeve, thus preventing theextension of the actuator. A release mechanism may comprise a componentthat slidably pushes the collet away from the tapered sleeve to releasethe gas spring.

In some additional embodiments of the bike rack 100 the latch mechanismis not attached to the actuator 110 but to another part of the rack 100.For example, a rotational ratchet maybe fixedly attached to the actuatedarm at its pivot point so that the rotational ratchet and the actuatedarm pivot together. A pawl and release lever may be provided by pivotalattachment to the platform 102 of the rack 100. The pawl and releaselever engage the rotational ratchet to prevent rotation of the actuatedarm in one direction while permitting it in the other direction. Arelease mechanism is provided to release the ratchet and pawl so thatthe arm can be pivoted in both directions when desired.

Adjustable Tire Chock

In some embodiments of the bicycle rack 100, the actuated arms 104 areprovided with adjustable tire chock components 108 that contact thebicycle tires when the bicycles are secured on the rack 100. The tirechocks 108 are generally visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 , but are shown inmore detail in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D. The tire chocks areslidably adjustable along the length of the actuated, or retention, arms104. In the depicted embodiment, the body of tire chock 108 is formedfrom one or more pieces of plastic or other suitable material.

In the depicted embodiment, the tire chocks 108 have a body withfeatures, apertures, or slots that slidably engage the side members 112of the actuated arm 104 to keep the tire chock 108 in the rightorientation to the arm 104. The body 108 of the tire chock is providedwith grooves or other features to support and guide at least one latchmechanism such as retractable pin 156 that selectively engages the arm104 to hold the tire chock in a desired position on the arm 104. Thepins 156 are preferably attached to one or more release actuators 158 toallow a user to retract the pins 156 from engagement with the arm 104.The actuated arms 104 are provided with one or more apertures or holes160 to receive and engage the retractable pins 156. The pin 156 andrelease actuator 158 may comprise a single retractable component.

In the depicted embodiment the two retractable pins 156 are disposedopposite one another on the tire chock body. In this embodiment the usersqueezes the two release actuators 158 toward each other tosimultaneously retract both pins 156. A biasing mechanism such ascompression spring 162 may be provided to bias the retracting pins 156to move outwardly into the engaged position. In FIG. 12C the tire chockbody 108 has been cut-away to show the spring 162 that is disposed in acavity inside the tire chock. The release actuators 158 may be actuatedby a user with one hand so that the other hand may be used to hold abicycle while the tire chock is adjusted. In varying embodiments, thepins may have circular or non-circular cross-sections so long as theyare able to retract from engagement with the side members 112.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show front and side views, respectively, of anembodiment of the tire chock on the actuated arm 104. In those figuresthe retractable pins 156 are extended into apertures 160 on the arm 104and retain the tire chock 108 in that position with respect to the arm104. FIGS. 12C and 12D depict front and side views, respectively, of thetire chock when the pins 156 have been retracted by squeezing theactuators 158 together, and then sliding the tire chock partially downthe arm 104 toward the next set of apertures 160. This allows a user toadjust the actuated arm 104 to fit different sizes of bicycle tires. Theactuators may be moved by opposing, squeezing forces applied between therelease actuators and the chock body. In other embodiments the user maytwist the release actuator.

The tire chock 108 and the platform or tray 102 may be provided withcontoured surfaces to provide improved grip on the tires of bicyclessecured on the rack 100. Referring to FIG. 13A, a cross-sectional viewof the tire platform 102 is depicted. The upper surface 164 of theplatform 102 has areas of concave and convex curvature, and longitudinalridges 166 at various locations on the surface 164. In the depictedembodiment, the narrowest concave area in the center of the platform 102may be designed to have a width between the closest ridges 166 that fitsa tire for a road bicycle. The width between the next set oflongitudinal ridges 166 may be approximately that of a hybrid tire or amountain bike tire. In some embodiments the outermost ridges may bespaced apart approximately the width of the tires of a fat tire bike.The placement of concave areas with longitudinal ridges providesimproved gripping performance to prevent unwanted movement of the tireon the rack. Other arrangements of ridges 166 may be utilized that arespaced apart more or less than the width of a typical tire.

Similarly, the tire chock 108 may be provided with a tire-contactingsurface 168 with ridges 170 that extend in the same general direction asthe tire when the bicycle is secured on the rack 100. These ridges 170may be separated by concave surface areas sized to fit certain biketires. In some cases, the intervening surface areas may alternatebetween concave shapes where a tire will contact the tire chock, andeither convex, flat, or angled surfaces where the tire will notsubstantially rest on the platform 102. The surface 168 may be generallyangled from front to back of the tire chock 108 so that when theactuated arm is pivoted toward the tire, the surface 168 will beapproximately tangential to the bicycle tire.

Integrated Lighting System

In some embodiments of the inventive bicycle rack, the rack may beprovided with an integrated lighting system. This lighting system mayprovide increased visibility and safety during operation of the vehicleto which the rack is attached. In some embodiments the integratedlighting system is attached to, powered, and controlled by theelectrical system of the vehicle. In some embodiments it may provideturn signal indicators and brake signal indicators, in addition topassive lighting.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D an embodiment of a bicyclerack with the integrated lighting system is depicted. In thisembodiment, the integrated lighting system is electrically connected tothe vehicle's electrical system by any electrical connector typicallyused to connect a trailer to a vehicle, such as a 4-pole flat connector.Each pin may provide a separate electrical connection for power orcontrol signals. In other embodiments, other types of electricalconnectors may be utilized with more or fewer electrical connections, ormultiple electrical connectors may be utilized, all within the scope ofthe present invention. In some embodiments, the integrated lightingsystem may be provided with an integrated power source such as abattery, solar panel, or other device for electrical power storage orgeneration. In some embodiments, a wireless connection may be utilizedto connect the integrated lighting system to the vehicle for purposes ofpower delivery or control signal connection.

In various embodiments, the integrated lighting system comprises one ormore light emitting elements 172. In the depicted embodiment two lightemitting elements 172 are provided on opposing platforms 102, and twoare provided on opposing platforms 102 on a rack extension 102 attachedto the basic rack. In some embodiments these light emitting elements 172may be light emitting diodes or other similar devices, although thespecific type of light emitting element 172 is not limiting of the scopeof the inventive system. In a preferred embodiment of the system thelight emitting elements 172 are disposed inside one of the supportmembers 102 of the bicycle rack, although in some embodiments the lightemitting elements 172 may be disposed on or in the outer surface of thesupport members 102. In the depicted embodiment, the light emittingelements 172 are disposed inside the support member 102 and an apertureis provided in the support members 102 to allow light from the lightemitting elements 172 to be visible in a desired direction.

In some embodiments, the light emitting elements 172 may comprisedevices with attached lenses. In some embodiments, a separate lens orcover may be provided in addition to any integrated lens on the lightemitting element 172. The lens may be designed to prevent water, dust,dirt, or other foreign matter from getting into the support member 102.In some embodiments, the lens may be designed to focus, scatter, orspread light from the light emitting elements in a desired manner, suchas a Fresnel lens. In some embodiments, the lens may act only as a coverwithout substantial impact on the light from the light emitting elements172. The lens may be transparent, translucent, or any desired opacity.Furthermore, the lens may be clear, or any desired color. In a preferredembodiment, the lens is highly translucent for red light, i.e. it is ared lens.

In some embodiments, the light emitting elements are electricallyconnected to the electrical connector by a wiring harness comprising oneor more electrical conductors 200. In some cases, the power to the lightemitting element 172 may be of varying voltages to generate varyinglevels of brightness. In other cases, the power to the light emittingelement 172 may be intermittent to cause the light emitting element toflash or blink. In other embodiments and as electrical and lightemitting devices are further developed, the light emitting devices maybe controlled by digital signals transmitted with the power source orseparately. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may includelight emitting devices that are not connected via a wiring harness butare wirelessly connected to a control component in the rack or directlyto a vehicle. Similarly, such devices may have integrated power storageor generation, and may be digitally controlled by the vehicle or acontrol component on the rack.

Referring now to FIG. 14C, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment ofthe rack 100 with an integrated lighting system is depicted. In thisembodiment of the rack 100, the platforms 102 are removably attached tothe frame member 103. The electrical wiring 174 in the platform 102 isconnected to spring-loaded terminals 178, while electrical wiring 200 inthe support member 103 is connected to spring-loaded terminals 176,allowing the platform 102 to be installed on and removed from the member103 without damaging the wiring or requiring any additional steps ofconnecting wires. FIG. 14D depicts the location of the terminals 176 onthe platform 102 when it is disconnected from the support member 103. Ascan be seen in FIG. 14D, a single bolt may be utilized to hold the tiretray 102 onto the sport member 103.

Similarly, the rack extension 102 is removably attached to the base rackassembly 100. In a preferred embodiment, a electrical connection to therack extension is made using a similar quick connect device to thatshown in FIG. 14C, with one terminal disposed on the distal end of thesupport member 103 and the other attached to the proximal end of theextension support member for the rack extension. The electricalterminals may be disposed on internal members of each of the supportmembers, facing each other at the connection between the members,similarly to the disposition of the terminals on the tire platformsconnected to the support member 103.

The rack extension may be repeatedly installed and removed from the baserack assembly 100, so the use of electrical connections thatautomatically connect is an important component of the system. Althoughmanual connections may be utilized on some embodiments, preferredembodiments of the system will utilize electrical connectors thatautomatically connect as the rack extension is attached to the base rackassembly. For example, these connections include “pogo pins” or othertypes of spring-loaded electrical connectors, or even flat ormetal-on-metal connectors may be used in some embodiments.

In some of the embodiments of the bicycle rack with the integratedlighting system, the rack may be provided with support members thatrotate or pivot from an operational configuration (such as shown in FIG.14B) to a non-operational configuration (such as shown in FIG. 14A). Inthe operational configuration, the rack may be used to support one ormore bicycles. In the non-operational configuration, the rack is notdisposed to support a bicycle but may be a folded or raisedconfiguration so that it extends a shorter distance behind a vehiclethan in the operational configuration. The non-operational configurationmay be more convenient, safer, or require less space than theoperational configuration. In some embodiments of the rack with theintegrated lighting system, the system is designed so that light fromthe light emitting elements 172 is visible from behind the vehicle whenthe rack is in both operational and non-operational configurations. Forexample, this would allow the integrated lighting system to function asvehicle turn signal indicators when the rack is in use in theoperational configuration to carry a bicycle and when it has beenpivoted upward to the non-operational storage configuration.

In some embodiments the light visibility in both configurations requiresa portion of the light from each light emitting element 172 to betransmitted in multiple directions, or at least substantially in twodirections, so that the light is visible in both configurations. Thevisibility in both configurations may be provided by a lens designed toreflect a portion of the light in two different directions, or a lenswith two different areas designed to reflect light differently, ormultiple lenses to reflect a portion of the light from a single lightemitting element 172 in multiple directions.

In the depicted embodiment, the light emitting element 172 is disposedon a chamfered edge of the platform 102 between the two desireddirections of light transmission. Therefore, some light from the lightswill be visible in either operational or non-operational configuration.In the depicted example, the general direction of light transmission inthe operational configuration is substantially perpendicular to thedirection of light transmission in the non-operational configuration. Inthe depicted embodiment the light emitting element 172 is disposed in adirection that is substantially half-way or 45° between the two generaldirections of light transmission. A chamfer surface is provided in thesupport member 102 to allow light from the light emitting source 172 tobe transmitted through the aperture over a range of directions thatencompasses both desired directions of transmission.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particulardimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term,such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example,a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles acylinder but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) areused interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to,and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of thevarious components depicted, as well as components not shown, arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described withthe intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, ratherthan restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do notdepart from its scope. Specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ thepresent invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilledartisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementionedimprovements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in thespecific order described.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An adjustable tire chock for a bicyclerack, the bicycle rack having a retention arm for securing a wheel of abicycle on the bicycle rack, the retention arm having a first sidemember and a second side member, the adjustable tire chock comprising: achock body movably disposed on the retention arm partially between thefirst side member and the second side member; and a latch mechanismdisposed on the chock body substantially between the first side memberand the second side member and configured to releasably engage the firstside member; wherein the latch mechanism is configured to be releasedand the chock body moved on the retention arm simultaneously using onehand.
 2. The adjustable tire chock of claim 1, the latch mechanismfurther comprising a biasing mechanism configured to engage the latchmechanism with the retention arm.
 3. The adjustable tire chock of claim2 wherein the release actuator comprises a first actuator component anda second actuator component configured to disengage the latch mechanismupon application of opposing forces.
 4. The adjustable tire chock ofclaim 2 wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a retractable pinfor engaging at least one aperture in the first side member of theretention arm, and the release actuator is configured to retract theretractable pin.
 5. The adjustable tire chock of claim 4 wherein thelatch mechanism comprises a second retractable pin for engaging at leastone aperture in the second side member of the retention arm, and therelease actuator is configured to retract the second retractable pin. 6.The adjustable tire chock of claim 5, wherein the biasing mechanism isconfigured to force the first and second retractable pins to engage theretention arm.
 7. The adjustable tire chock of claim 6 wherein thebiasing mechanism comprises an expansion spring disposed between thefirst and second retractable pins.
 8. The adjustable tire chock of claim1 wherein the chock body further comprises a concave surface forreceiving a tire of the bicycle.
 9. The adjustable tire chock of claim 8wherein the concave surface further comprises longitudinal ridgesseparated by a distance substantially equal to a width of the tire. 10.An adjustable tire chock for a bicycle rack, the bicycle rack having aretention arm for securing a wheel of a bicycle on the bicycle rack, theadjustable tire chock comprising: a chock body movably disposed on theretention arm; a first retractable component movably coupled to thechock body and configured to engage the retention arm; and a releaseactuator component disposed on the chock body between a first and asecond side member of the retention arm; wherein the release actuatorcomponent is configured to retract the first retractable component fromthe retention arm when a user squeezes the release actuator componenttoward another portion of the adjustable tire chock with a hand; andwherein while the release actuator component is squeezed by a user thechock body is configured to be translated by the user on the retentionarm using the hand.
 11. The adjustable tire chock of claim 10 furthercomprising a second retractable component movably coupled to the chockbody and configured to engage the retention arm.
 12. The adjustable tirechock of claim 11 wherein the first and second retractable componentsare configured to move toward each other and disengage from theretention arm when a force is applied to the release actuatorcomponents.
 13. The adjustable tire chock of claim 12 wherein the firstand second retractable components comprise a pin for engaging at leastone aperture provided in the retention arm.
 14. The adjustable tirechock of claim 13 further comprising a biasing mechanism configured toengage the first and second retractable components with one of the atleast one aperture when the chock is disposed at a desired position onthe retention arm.
 15. An adjustable tire chock for a bicycle rack, thebicycle rack having a wheel securement arm having a first side memberand a second side member, the adjustable tire chock comprising: a chockbody slidably connected to the first side member and the second sidemember, wherein at least a first portion of the chock body extendssubstantially perpendicular to and between the first side member and thesecond side member; a latch mechanism disposed on the first portion ofthe chock body between the first side member and the second side memberand configured to releasably engage the first side member, the secondside member, or both the first side member and the second side member.16. The adjustable tire chock of claim 15, the latch mechanismcomprising a first actuator and a second actuator configured todisengage the latch mechanism upon application of opposing forces. 17.The adjustable tire chock of claim 16 wherein the first actuator and thesecond actuator are slidably disposed on the chock body and configuredto move substantially perpendicularly with respect to the first andwheel securement arm.
 18. The adjustable tire chock of claim 16 furthercomprising a first pin coupled to the first actuator for engaging atleast one aperture provided in the retention arm.
 19. The adjustabletire chock of claim 18 further comprising a second pin coupled to thesecond actuator for engaging at least one aperture provided in theretention arm.
 20. The adjustable tire chock of claim 19 wherein thefirst actuator and the second actuator are configured to retract thefirst pin and the second pin from the apertures in the retention arm.21. The adjustable tire chock of claim 20 further comprising a biasingmechanism configured to insert the first pin and the second pin into theapertures in the retention arm.
 22. The adjustable tire chock of claim21 wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.
 23. The adjustable tirechock of claim 19 wherein the first and second pins extend outwardlyfrom the chock body and are retracted into the chock body by the latchmechanism.
 24. The adjustable tire chock of claim 15 further comprisinga biasing mechanism configured to engage the latch mechanism.
 25. Theadjustable tire chock of claim 15, wherein a second portion of the chockbody comprises a concave surface for receiving a tire of a bicycle.